IELTS Cue Card Question 798 With Model Answer

Describe something old in your house

: You should say

what it is
how old it is
who bought it and whether you use it
And explain why this old thing is still in your house

: Model Answer

I live in an extended family in Lucknow, in India, with my parents and relative and we have a large dining table and chairs made of Oak Wood where all the family members take meals at least twice a day

The Oak table was made by my late grandfather and we are using the table in the current days without any troubles. The table has a traditional classic look and simple design. This is a large table with the sitting arrangement of 12 people together. There are 12 chairs included with the table and we all members are using the table as and when we need it. Mostly the table remains busy during the morning hours when all the male and two female members are busy to go to their respective office or educational institutions and it is also seen busy when all of them come back home and take their supper. Sometimes, we need to sit on the table by rotation when there are guests or any event takes place at the home like pooja or Diwali or the national holidays

The table was made around 50 years ago by my late grandfather. He was a man of luxury and thus made the table with few customisation. Usually, the tables are not made so large and could accommodate around six to eight members. But the foreseeing great grandfather made the table so that all the family members could take their meals at one place every day. He was on the view that taking meals together strengthens the bond between the family members. The tradition to take meals together is being continued even before the birth of my father. This is an invisible rule that we all should be present at the table when the meal time appears. It is also the time when the important decisions are usually taken at our home. The tradition has been being continued for centuries

There was a reputed carpenter in the suburb of Lucknow whose ancestors used to make furniture for the British people came to rule the country during colonisation. My locally influential grandfather managed to get this table and chairs done from that carpenter’s shop and it was made with great care. There is nothing extraordinary in the table but simply it looks gorgeous. The table is polished once in a year and no other repairing has been done for the table. It is still strong and may last for 30 to 40 years more. We have placed a heavy glass especially customised for the table (though the wood is scratch resistant) so that there is not scratch or any other damages could be done either deliberately or unconsciously. The house-maid everyday brushes the table with a duster before and after each meal

My father and paternal uncles have received the table from their ancestors. Besides, it is useful furniture for us too. We are 13 members in the family and could meet everyone during the meal hours. The table is strong, nicely polished and heavy as well which his not found in these days. The tables which are made currently with different other woods do not last longer. Troubles immediately start to appear after receiving the cheap furniture and people need to repair or change them frequently. But my family has been using the table for a long time without a single repair, except the annual polish. Besides, we are using the bale as it is made with Oak Wood which is highly durable (we are enjoying the durability), and solid. They are free of internal wood damages and serve for years